Feral...

Despite:

* leaving my breakfast, lunch, MT & AT (accidentally) on the kitchen bench at home this morning;

* Sydney's feral weather; and

* my one and only umbrella turning itself inside out and then bending to a 90' angle in the pouring rain on the way to a conference with Counsel this morning,

my mood will not be dampened! Very much looking forward to some R & R, food, wine, laughing, gossiping, cheering and general frivolity this weekend at GC (not to mention 2 days off work!). Must pack tonight as Owl & I are on a 7am flight to Brisbane tomorrow morning. We are staying at Cirque's place on Friday night before heading down to the GC on Saturday morning. Now the only question is whether to pack wet weather gear or singlets and my bikini. Accordingly to my meterologist (Cirque), a bit of both might be required.

Somewhat unfortunately, I had already decided to swap my run for a spin class this morning so I had no excuse to stay in bed. 6.40am (45mins) spin class with the easier of the two spin instructors - which was good; by half way through the class, my quads were feeling pretty smashed but I focused on breathing deeply and just pushing through(note to self: buy more jelly beans for the gym bag). I'm getting much stronger; I noticed that the dial for the seated hill climb (which I have always found the hardest) is a bit higher than it normally is. Hehe. Love it! Bring on GC. Full report to follow on Monday.

Spin + Satan

Up early this morning for the 7.15am spin class (45mins) with the Satanic Spin Instructor (SSI). I walked into class and declared how tired I was this morning, to which SSI responded "well that’s good because we have hill climbs in every track today". I resisted the urge to turn around and walk back out of the room. I’m so glad I didn’t. It was her hardest class yet but it was bloody brilliant! By the last hill climb of the class, I had the resistance (much) higher than it has ever been before; I just closed my eyes, sung to myself and ground it out. Sensational!

Back to the gym at lunch to see Satan. Thankfully no lunges after the pounding my quads copped this morning but lots of other good (read: hard) stuff for my glutes, tris, chest, back and my dodgy rotator cuffs. Was feeling very tired afterwards but this was probably do to a lack of food…

Calf and ITB exercises and stretches tonight. My shins are actually fine today. Absolutely no tenderness at all. Not quite sure what happened yesterday – but I’ve decided to give them a rest tomorrow just in case. Have dropped tomorrow’s run in favour of another spin class (my last 45mins before the new stoopid new gym timetable starts next week) and will run in Brissie with Owl on Friday.

Two sleeps to go !

A runner is underneath there somewhere....

A sure sign that there is a runner lurking somewhere inside me. I sent an email to a colleague today about our "PD" meeting (practice development) – but instead I wrote "PB". I didn’t pick up on it until she pointed it out. Running has found its way into my subconscious it seems...

25mins on the treadmill at 7pm today (6min/km). A bit of calf tightness/shin pain early in the run but it seemed to settle down as I progressed. There is some slight tenderness on my LH shin now so its back to the ice & time to up the stretches and strengthening exercises again. Might skip Thursday’s run and do another spin class instead but I’ll see how its going tomorrow...

'cause we all have wings...

Worked through lunch but managed to escape the office (if only briefly) for a quick legs weights session at 3pm this afternoon. My legs (quads & calves in particular) were feeling pretty beat up after yesterday's run - which was my longest in quite a while and was on bitumen. Once I warmed up, they felt better but still very tight. Need to increase my stretches over the next few days. Back onto the treadmill tomorrow for an easy run.

My gym's new timetable is out. They have dramatically cut the number of spin classes - grrrrr. In order to make up my third class for the week, I may have to do it on a Tuesday - run in the morning and then spin in the evening - or maybe I switch my midweek runs to Mondays and Wednesdays (rather than Tuesday/Friday). Decisions, decisions.

Strange day today. I read Hannah's blog this morning which brought back memories of my battles with my inner demons... Fortunately I fought that battle and won. Quite simply, food is fuel and I need it if I'm going to train like an athlete. I've come a long way baby. Speaking of which, it's time to eat !

Yum cha !

This is why I run - yum cha with my girlfriends on a Sunday afternoon...sensational!

Rest day yesterday consisted primarily of lots of food and lots of sleep ! However strangely I always feel worse after my rest day - heavier, slower, just plain crap. However it was another pain-free run so I can't complain too much ! Relatively easy 30mins on the first half of the MiniMos course with only two small rises. It was a little interrupted - first I stopped to stretch, then to blow my nose and then a woman stopped me to ask for directions. It's so nice to be able to run without pain. I will never take it for granted after the problems I've had over the last few months.

Week in review...
Another strange week. Great on the exercise front - first time running 3 x p/wk pain free in a very long time. Not so good on the food front.
Monday: weights (legs)
Tuesday: run (25mins)
Wednesday: spin (45mins)
Thursday: run (25mins) + Satan
Friday: spin (45mins)
Saturday: rest
Sunday: run (30mins)

The week ahead....
Another strange week (and thankfully the last before the end of the financial year). Training this week will be somewhat interrupted by GC but I'll have to make up for it jumping around like a madwoman next Sunday:
Monday: weights (legs)
Tuesday: run (25mins)
Wednesday: spin (45mins) + Satan
Thursday: run (28mins)
Friday: rest - early flight to Brisbane; gossiping, laughing, eating, drinking and pom pom making with Owl, Skizzik and Cirque
Saturday: run (35mins)
Sunday: GC ! Can't wait !

Spin with Satanic Spin Instructor

Very hungry & tired this morning. Despite getting more sleep than I normally do, I felt shattered this morning. Woke up at 6am and stared at the cricket for 15mins before finally dragging my butt out of bed and onto the bus for the 7.15am spin class (45mins) with the Satanic Spin Instructor.

My quads felt very heavy and tired this morning and it took a long time before it felt like the blood was following. I normally get onto the bike for 10mins before the class starts to warm up but my bus was a bit late this morning so I ran out of time.

Despite the lure of having Blue Dog cook me breakfast tomorrow at the CR Challenge, tomorrow is a rest day. Right now I really need it. Lots of sleep and R & R tomorrow and then out on the road (well, the trail) on Sunday. Must say the idea of going for a run certainly holds even more appeal when it doesn't hurt !!

One week to go - this time next week Owl & I will be in Brisbane with our gals Skizzik and Cirque for our "gals take on GC" weekend. Must do some pom pom training next week. As Big Kev says "I'm excited"...

I told you that we could fly...

Had a great (and late) night last night at dinner with several CRs. Owl used her wonderful skills again to produce a masterpiece in the form of a blouse for "the Blouse" (ie Minersrun) which I had the pleasure of presenting to the man himself.

Moved my morning run to this evening (no surprises there) and did my version of a "brick" session – 25mins run on the treadmill followed immediately by a session with Satan. Yikes.

I am very happy to report that it was another pain free run. 25mins on the treadmill – 10mins @ 6.30min/km; 10mins @ 6min/km; 5 mins @ 5.30min/km (edit: 4.2kms). I’ll do this session once a week on the treadmill and slowly increase the duration of the faster kms as the duration of the run increases. I’ve also planned out the next 8 weeks that will get me to 30/45/60min runs (all the time obeying the 10% rule – well, except for C2S...) I am a happy gal. Who knew that running was so enjoyable when each stride doesn’t hurt!! My calves are a little tight tonight (but no shin tenderness) – nothing that some stretching and two days rest won’t fix ! *cartwheel*

Satan had another tough session lined up which began with a superset of glute/hammy exercises which were really tough given that I’d just walked off the treadmill and my glutes are still recovering from Monday nights session. I am sure to feel my glutes and quads during tomorrow morning's spin class with the Satanic Spin Instructor...

Pain free! *cartwheel*

Tuesday 21 June - 25min run; 4.11kms (6.08min/km pace); 6.30pm

An 8am meeting meant that I had to do move my usual morning run to the evening. I decided to wimp out of going out into the cold so I headed to the gym.

Started out very slow but gradually increased the pace so the last 4mins were at 5.30min/km pace. I was getting a little tired and bored about half way but then it occurred to me that I was running easily and pain free. After that realisation, I was a very happy gal and the rest of the run seemed easy. I could have kept going but I have promised myself that I will obey the 10% rule (well, at least until the C2S). Although my shins were pain-free during the run, I iced them when I got home just to be sure. So far, so good. I am a very happy gal !

Wednesday 22 June - 45min spin class; 7.15am

My "killer quads" did not feel very happy this morning. Monday's weight session and Tuesday night's run left my quads feeling very tired and heavy this morning. It took about 10mins before I started to feel strong again. Another tough session with the Satanic Spin Instructor. Unfortunately my gym has decided to not only reduce the number of spin classes but to make all classes only 30mins (grrr). While the gym is adding pilates (which I love and swear by), I'm not quite sure how I am going to add an extra spin class (given that I've been doing 2 x 45min class a week) not to mention a pilates class....yikes !

Edit: have moved my session with Satan today to tomorrow night so that I can have lunch with Mr Jen today. Can you blame me ? :-D :-D

Killer quads....

Flew back from Dubbo this morning so no exercise but no sleep-in either today.

Headed to the gym tonight but a great lower body weights session (40mins) followed by 15mins of stretching. Another good, tough session. Again, I increased the weight on the squat press but I think it's time to ask Satan for another lower body program. Dare I say it but this one (even with increasing the weight almost each week) is getting a little easy...

A happy gal....

Saturday 18 June

Flew up to chilly Dubbo on Friday night. Went for a 35min walk on Saturday morning. The combination of the flat course and the weather meant that it took me about 25mins to warm up.

After breakfast, Mr Jen & I set out to walk home (45mins) via the river, during which walk we discovered, and put out, a bushfire !! Well, ok if the truth be told there was one bush/shrub and it was smouldering rather than being on fire as such; but had there been a breeze it would have been a grassfire, if not a bushfire !

Sunday 19 June

After breaking my orthotics and new shoes in over the last few days, I decided to set out on a short run (20mins). Very happy to report that my legs love my orthotics and shoes and there was no shin pain at all, not even any tenderness on my shins after the run. Needless to say I am a happy gal. This was even despite the fact that most of the run was on bitumen – what little grass exists in Dubbo had turned to (red) mud after lots of rain on Saturday night. While I lurve running in muddy conditions, I just couldn’t bring myself to mess up my new shoes on their first outing....

Somewhat unfortunately I spent the rest of the weekend sabotaging my weight loss goals by overindulging in food and wine. Dammit...

During the run I was thinking about a conversation I had last weekend. A person I had just met asked me how far I ran. I told him that at the moment I was running about 5kms. He then said to me "ah, so you are not a serious runner then..." Grrr. SOB. Fortunately Buddha granted me the serenity not to leap across the table and smack him in the head which was my first thought (ok, so it wasn’t very zen to have such a thought in the first place..) It’s amazing how such a negative remark can inspire you rather than tear you down. One of the reasons that I love spending time with CRs is that they are such a positive and inspiring community to be a part of.

Week in review
An easy week – a little easier than I had originally planned but c’est la vie. I’m ready for the next 4 (heavy) weeks...
Monday: rest
Tuesday: spin (30mins)
Wednesday: rest
Thursday: Satan
Friday: rest
Saturday: walk (80mins)
Sunday: run (20mins)

The week ahead –
A big week...
Monday: weights (lower body)
Tuesday: run (25mins)
Wednesday: spin (45mins) + Satan
Thursday: run (25mins)
Friday: spin (45mins) + weights (upper body)
Saturday: rest
Sunday: run (30mins)

Day 1 of Jen_runs' (new) running career !

It turns out that I’ve picked the perfect week to have an "easy" week. Work has gone to shite (I’d forgotten of course that the world ends on 1 July so everything must be stitched up on or before 30 June) and my body is again/still fighting a cold. With lots of sleep and R & R this weekend, I should be back on track next week.

I am now the proud owner of orthotics. Saw Andy the Pod at lunchtime today to pick them up. They are surprisingly comfortable. I’ve been wearing them tonight at the gym and now around the house. Very happy so far. Will continue to (slowly) wear them in over the next few days before heading out for a (mini) run on Sunday morning. I’m feeling so very positive and excited at the moment at the prospect of, at the very least, making my shin problem manageable...

Had a lovely chat (and giggle) this afternoon when Cirque called me at work. I'm so looking forward to (finally) meeting her and to our 'gals GC' weekend....only 2 weeks to go now.

Headed to the gym tonight after eventually escaping from the office for a date with Satan. We left the "Danger Will Robinson" cable machine alone for once but she had a remarkably nasty superset of glute/hammy exercises to do instead ! I felt very weak tonight but the weights/my reps didn’t seem to reflect that. Strange.

I had planned to do a spin class tomorrow but I feel like crap tonight so I’ll scrap that and make it another rest day...At this stage, I’m planning a walk to break in the orthotics on Saturday before going for a (mini) run in them on Sunday. Beanie and gloves are packed; I fear it is going to be icy out west this weekend...

Woohoo - new (fast and shin-friendly) shoes !!

20mins of stretching to start the day.

At lunch today I jumped on the train and headed over to Edgecliff to see Damien at Sydney Running Centre to buy my new shoes. After getting numerous strange looks from shoppers, I finally settled on the Brooks Trance shoes. I found the Brooks Adrenaline & Asic Kayanos very heavy; they felt like bricks on my feet. I’m slow enough; I don’t need bricks to slow me down even further! The Trance is predominately blue and looks like very a fast shoe - I think my shins, my orthotics and shoes are going to have a long, happy and fulfilling relationship !! Woohoo ! Feeling very happy, excited and positive right now :-)

Dinner with my girlfriends tonight – a great way to end a rest day. Off to see Andy the Pod and Satan tomorrow.

Race calender

Ok, this is a record. My third post for the day (and my last I promise).

In an effort to keep my eye on the road (so to speak) while my orthotics, my new shoes and feet get to know each other (slowly), I've finally committed my money and have just filled in my entries for the following:

* Red Cross 8km run - 17 July

* 7km Bay Run - 31 July

* C2S - 14 August

* Blackmores 9km - 11 Sept

There are, of course, a few more races in my snazzy table over ------> but this gives me something to focus on start with.

My conspiracy theory

I’m having a grrrrr kind of week it seems. I had planned to do a spin class tomorrow morning with the Satanic Spin Instructor but I was informed late this afternoon that my annual performance review at work will be at 8am tomorrow morning – grrrrr. So the spin class is scraped, as is my session with Satan at lunch tomorrow as I need to head out at lunch tomorrow to get them before my date with Andy the Pod on Thursday morning. Grrrr....

So I’ve accepted that there is a conspiracy against me this weekend and have decided to go with the flow. I had planned to have another two "heavy" weeks before an "easy" week starting on the 27th. Given the events of today and being Zen Jen, I’ve decided to bring my "easy" week ahead to this week. The rest of the week now looks like this:

Monday: rest - tick
Tuesday: spin (30mins) - tick
Wednesday: rest
Thursday: Andy the Pod + Satan
Friday: spin (45mins)
Saturday: walk
Sunday: either a walk or a mini-run depending on how the orthotics/new shoes are going.

And lots of sleep so I’m ready for the planets to align next week !

CR drinks - Sunday 12 May

The 3 musketeers. My gals, Lorna & Melski, at CR drinks planning our assault on the Gold Coast and Trailwalker 2006 (kidding). I'm sure the 4th musketeer, Cirque, was with us in spirit!

Spin but as yet, no shoes...

Up early for a 30min spin class with the Satanic Spin Instructor (SSI) this morning – it was fantastic !! As usual with SSI, a very tough class. I was feeling very tired when I woke up this morning and had trouble dragging my butt out of bed but felt very strong during the class. 30mins of stretching followed.

I was planning on heading out to Running Science at Rozelle during lunch to buy my new shoes – but that plan has been thwarted as no-one at Running Science is answering the phone! Grrrrrrrrrrr. Now I am unlikely to have a chance to get out there and buy shoes before I see Andy the Pod again on Thursday morning. Grrrrrrrr. What to do; what to do.... I don't know right now.

Tonight – more glute exercises. Haven’t done them in a few days now. Opps...

R & R

An (unscheduled) rest day today. I was due to have my rest day for the week on Saturday but will do today’s planned walk and strengthening exercises then. I was hoping to get to Running Science at Rozelle today to buy my new shoes but it seems no-one is home :-( Will have to get out there (somehow) on Tuesday or Wednesday before seeing Andy the Pod, and picking up my orthotics, on Thursday.

Last night’s CR drinks was a very fun – and funny - night. Met Superflake and Scottie77, got to know a few first names (Bruce, Sue, Sebastian, Darren but I’ve forgotten Vat’s...damn that red wine !), and had a long chat with Truckie about orthotics, the mind, running and achieving anything I set my mind to – thanks Truckie !

Walk this way....

Was due to run today but unfortunately I haven't had an opportunity to buy my new shoes so, as per Andy the Pod's instructions, no running for me today. Instead I headed out for a 45 mins walk around the Regatta Centre at the 'Riff. Easy, dead flat course. I don't think my heartrate moved much above its resting rate. Oh well, it was a beautiful, still and clear morning and it was nice to stretch my legs after yesterday's rest day.

Week in review..
A strange week:
Monday: weights (lower body)
Tuesday: run (20mins)
Wednesday: Spin (45mins) + Satan
Thursday: Spin (45mins) + massage
Friday: weights (upper body)
Saturday: rest
Sunday: walk (45mins)

Despite the fact that I only ran once (and only for 20mins), I am (surprisingly) not too fussed or frustrated. Also it was my first week of Spin x 2 (and on consecutive days) - my legs pulled up every well. Happy gal !

The week ahead.....
Will be another strange one as I slowly break-in my new shoes and orthotics...
Monday: walk + calf/glute exercises - my gym is closed :-(
Tuesday: Spin (45mins)
Wednesday: Satan
Thursday: Spin (45mins)
Friday: weights (upper and lower body)
Saturday: rest
Sunday: run (I hope). Must remember to pack beanie & gloves next weekend...

I am strong, I am invincible, I am woman !

Ok, well not quite invincible but certainly strong. I seem to have fought off that cold which was threatening yesterday afternoon – helped no doubt by 7 hours sleep last night (which is about 2 hours more than I usually get on a school night).

At the gym early (again), for an upper body weight session for 55 minutes followed by 20mins of stretching. Good session; I probably should have increase the weight on a couple of exercises but I was feeling a bit tired this morning so I decided to take it a little easier. My hips are quite tender after yesterday’s massage (but nothing like last time !) as she focused on trying to open up my hips. Unfortunately I won’t get my orthotics now until Thursday (originally I was due to pick them up on Tuesday) but (surprisingly) I’m not at all fussed. Will just keep up the spin classes and keep down the running until then.

Tomorrow is my rest day then off for a (short) run in my new shoes (which I am off to buy tomorrow) on Sunday. Bring on the long weekend !

If you can't run, spin !

My stomach muscles are sore this morning – and I blame my dinner guests last night for making me laugh for 4 hours!! Had a lovely (and extremely funny) night – topics ranged from (now how do I make this PC) books, art, shoes, the female form, s-e-x, most embarrassing stories, meeting our beloveds, first dates, CR drinks, eating disorders (ok, that part wasn't funny), GC, runners (but not running), hotpants, wine...and so it went.

After yesterday’s double header (Spin + Satan - my toughest (exercise) day), a couple of glasses of wine with dinner and very little sleep, I pulled up remarkably well this morning and made it to the gym for the 6.40am Spin class. I was supposed to run this morning but (as expected) I haven't had an opportunity to buy new shoes as per Andy the Pod's orders - hence the second Spin class in 2 days. A good class; again I felt (I am) very strong mentally and physically. Today’s instructor was a lot more low-key than the Satanic Spin Instructor from yesterday – she actually didn’t say a lot during the class – which was good because I was off in my own little world this morning thinking, singing & spinning. I really felt today’s class in my glutes – no doubt a combination of doing a lot of climbs in the class and the effects of Satan’s difficult ab/glute/quad/hammy/adductor move yesterday. Favourite song from the class was the soundtrack to Rocky which has been stuck in my head all morning (Rocky’s a fighter, getting strong now...)

Off for a massage this afternoon. ‘Nuff said about that. The bruises from the last have now faded...

Feel like I’m fighting off a bit of a cold this afternoon. I’m due to do an upper body weights session in the morning but I will see how I feel then..

Tonight a post-massage bath & 30mins of stretching before lots of sleep...

Spin, Satan & Skizzik !

A big day !

A bit of a sleep-in this morning (well, these days I can call 6am a sleep-in), followed by a 45min spin class to start the day. It was a tough class with SSI (Satanic Spin Instructor) which I really enjoyed. I felt (I am) strong both mentally and physically this morning. Must lose the remaining 2 holiday-kgs – my (strong) quads are looking even stronger right now…

AJ is encouraging me to do the 10km at GC. Dunno. I don’t want to push myself too much and piss my shins off – at the same time I sometimes wonder if I am being too conservative. Better to be conservative than injured I suppose but where the hell is that line ??

Was back at the gym at 2pm this afternoon to see Satan. More lunge/chest fly combinations on the “danger Will Robinson” machine, following immediately by push ups, planks, a really difficult ab/glute/quad/hammy/adductor move & lat pull downs (repeat x 3). Ok, now I’m tired (and hungry for that matter).

Dinner tonight with Skizzik & Owl (+1) which I am really looking forward to. I have no doubt that I am in for my third workout of the day – this time my abs from laughing a lot !!

Unfortunately no sleep-in tomorrow – 6.40am spin class instead…

…and I’m feeling good !

Otherwise known as "I’m plastered".

Up early this morning for my 20min run (on grass) around the Domain and the Botanic Gardens. No moon report today but the pink clouds over the Harbour as the sun rose more than made up for it. Legs felt very heavy after last nights weight session. A little shin pain to start but it seemed to fade as I went on. If nothing else, all this running on grass is going to make my already strong legs even stronger.

Later in the morning I went off to see Andy the Pod. He noticed that I’ve actually managed to deform my quite new shoes with very few kms on them - well done Jen ! I can’t remember all the technical/scientific terms for my "issues" (well my shithouse lower leg issues that is) but after getting on the treadmill and watching my foot strike ( nothing short of ugly; my poor ankles!), he has prescribed a full length orthotic (hence getting plastered) and new shoes – either Asics Kayanos or 2100s or Brooks Addiction or Trance. Andy made me promise not to run again until I have my new shoes (which rules out Thursday’s planned run as I won’t have a chance to go shopping before then – will spin instead) and to take it very easy until my orthotics are ready next Tuesday.

So how do I feel now – well my shins are a little tender tonight (more ice) and I am a little disappointed to put my "run x 3 p/wk" plan on hold for another week but as Big Kev would say "I’m excited" and feeling very positive. Although my shins will require constant TLC through running on grass, ice, stretches and strengthening, I am really excited by the prospect of "managing" the problem at the very least so that I can train consistently. The last 4+ months have been interrupted largely due to injuries – with the effect that the idea/concept of being able to train consistently (not to mention actually compete in the races & fun runs I have planned) seems almost foreign. I’m so looking forward to getting out there and training consistently (and sensibly) again !!! Woohoo !!!

You have all that you need within you now to become all that you can be

And because I’m feeling so excited and positive – another one...

Give recognition to the greatness of those around you. Because of them, you are given the opportunity to be your best.

Thank you to everyone for all your support – and continued support - on this (sometimes difficult) journey. You are the greatness that surrounds me.

It’s a new life for me….

30mins of stretching this morning.

40mins (lower body) weights session tonight followed by more stretches. Increased the weight on the plate squat machine which I will probably pay for in the morning. Fortunately tomorrow’s run is only 20mins (on grass) - followed later in the morning by an appointment with Andy the Pod. It will be interesting !

The words you choose are the seeds of your future realities

It's a new day....

Saturday 5 May
Really enjoyed my rest day – lots of sleep (10.5 hours on Friday night & 11 hours on Saturday night) & lots of food (and a little bit of wine) ! On Saturday afternoon, I saw “Hell on Wheels”, a doco on the TdF – fantastique ! Zabel’s humility was particularly surprising. One month to go !

Sunday 6 May
Left at 3pm for a 35min run, along the trail starting at Middle Head and heading in the direction of the zoo. Felt great from the start. Made it to Bradleys Head in just on 30mins and decided to try and push it to get to the Zoo/Athol Wharf Road within 35mins. Alas, the 35min mark came and went so I decided to keep running until I finished it – which I did in 36.18 (5.7kms). My longest run in a long time!! Such a different run from last Sunday’s disaster. I felt (reasonably) comfortable most of the way and much more positive mentally. Hip is fine; shins are ok – not great. I realised about half way that I had been ‘tightening’ my toes on my left foot – whether it was in response to the terrain, I’m not sure – but if I’m doing it regularly, it would no doubt contribute to my shin problems. Just another thing to be conscious of. More ice for the shins tonight just in case.

Quote for the day: soft is strong

Week in review...
* to find my groove or at least lose the blahs - tick

Monday 30 May:
PM weights session (lower body)- tick

Tuesday 31 May:
AM run – 20mins (on grass) - nope :-( (spin class instead)

Wednesday 1 June:
PM Satan + spin class - tick for Satan; spin class on Tuesday

Thursday 2 June:
AM run – 20 mins on grass - tick
PM – massage - rescheduled to next week

Friday 3 June:
Rest day - moved to Saturday

Saturday 4 June:
AM weights session (upper body) - tick (on Friday morning)

Sunday 5 June:
AM run - 35mins - tick

The week ahead:
* primary goal: to add a third run for the week (she says with fingers crossed)...

Monday:
PM – weights (lower body)

Tuesday:
AM – run (20mins on grass) + a date with Andy the Pod

Wednesday:
AM – spin (45mins)
PM – Satan + dinner with Skizzik and Owl

Thursday:
AM – run (30mins on grass)
PM – massage

Friday:
AM – weights (upper body)

Saturday:
Rest

Sunday:
AM – run (35mins)

It's a new dawn...

Up early again this morning for an upper body weights session at the gym. Was watching the moon at 5.45am while waiting for the bus (which was late). Haunting - slight mist/cloud cover. Very beautiful.

5mins on the bike to start to get the blood flowing followed by an hour of weights. Fun but tough session. Once again I increased the weight on a number of exercises so I'm really feeling it in my arms and shoulders now !

Meeting Skizzik and Owl for a coffee later this afternoon where we will no doubt talk running (not)... :-)

Much needed rest day tomorrow before heading out for a run on Sunday. Iced my shins last night after yesterday's run - they are feeling really good today. I'm a happy gal !

Quote for the day: What you can conceive, you can achieve

Why not ?

Arrived at the gym at 6.15am this morning. Spent 5mins on the bike trying to get the blood flowing through my legs which felt like lead after the last few days. I then headed out of the gym and up to the Domain for a run. Calves felt very tight walking up the Hunter Street hill but after a couple of stretches, they felt better. I did my calf raises again last night – I think that I need to do them a full 24hours before I run in order to give them enough recovery time...

Ran for 30-35mins run around the Domain, Lady Macquarie’s Chair and then up through the Botanic Gardens (I’m not exactly how long it was because my solar-powered watch won’t recharge under a lamp, go figure !). Beautiful morning for it – still and fresh. Watching the sun come up over the Harbour was a great way to start the day. Ran largely on the grass to keep my shins happy. I took it very slowly because I wanted/needed it to be a comfortable run - felt like I had to rebuild some confidence after Sunday’s shocker. Being on grass combined with heavy legs made it a tough session but I felt quite good. After Plu’s comments in chat last night, I tried to focus on my stride and, in particular, my foot strike – making sure my foot rolls through the motion rather than the front of my foot striking the ground heavily and pissing off my shins. Shins held up surprisingly well but I have been icing them tonight just in case... My favourite moment during the run (apart from spotting a CR of course) was when I turned into the centre of the Botanic Gardens and felt like I had the park to myself – I didn’t see another person for a good 10mins – fantastic !

This morning I started reading a book JD had recommended called Running Within. Great book – has made me realise how many negative and self-limiting thoughts I have had & comments I have made about my potential and my abilities. Not any more...

Satan does her best….

Well, the blahs it seems have finally pissed off – feeling much better today...

Only 5mins of stretching this morning – damn snooze button got the better of me...

30mins with Satan at 2pm today. Another tough session and getting tougher by the week as my strength returns/improves post-holiday. My gym has this fandangled piece of machine that reminds me of the robot in Lost in Space (danger Will Robinson !) Satan had me doing lunges with my back foot on a bench whilst doing (chest) flyes, followed immediately my push-ups (amongst a long list of other exercises...). Love it – very hard on my quads and chest though..will be sore tomorrow.

More calf exercises tonight and a run in the morning – my first since Sunday (fingers crossed)...